Bei Zhe Nan Yuan (2021)

Growing Up is Hard, But Companion Makes it Easier

Crossroad Bistro (北辙南辕) narrates the story of five women who opened a restaurant together. With each other companions, they found friendship, love, and learn how to grow up in life. In terms of the production, technical execution, performances, and music, this drama is perfect!!

The script of this drama is so well written, you can see just how much the writing team put so much effort and attention into the characters. Every single character in it is written realistically, they are well-dimensioned. The characters are written so well to the point that you can relate to their action, and you unconsciously built a connection to them. I love how the writers make the characters develop and grow. I loved every single character and their personal journey arc.

The delivery of the amazing script is accompanied by stunning cinematography which makes this drama arguably one of the best adult dramas. Crossroad Bistro is directed by Feng Xiaogang, it is his drama comeback after more than a decade of not directing a drama. You can already see in the first episode how spectacular and stunning the cinematography is. Through the cinematography, you can see how high-quality production this drama is. Each shot uses soft filters and a warm and cold colour palette are used accordingly, which gives the audience a pleasant viewing experience. The angles of the scenes are also beautifully taken, each and every shot in the drama are exquisitely taken, it is a feast for the eyes!! Other than the amazing cinematography, this drama also has really beautiful authentic sets. Overall, all the shots really evoke and gives off Beijing ambience.

This drama has a simmering pace, not too slow yet not too fast. It has eventful moments but also slow moments. This drama does not have draggy problems too, the problems encountered are realistic, and the problem solving is done in a timely manner too (they do not drag it). And I also love how the drama does not specifically focus on one or two women in the middle of the drama, they still made the five women the main focus of the drama. All five women in the drama have equal screen time and their own developed storyline.

The casts of Crossroad Bistro are also well-chosen. Each actor and actresses fit in their role so perfectly, as if the characters are written for them. All of the casts' acting is a joy to watch. Even though the five girls are not 24/7 together in the drama, they still showcased really powerful chemistry between them. Everyone in this drama has great chemistry with other casts, not only with their love interest. Moving on, the music of this drama is also beautiful, the music encapsulated the essence of the story - the essence of growing up, love and friendship.

I definitely recommend this one to those who are looking for an adult drama to watch!! If you loved Dear Missy, My Best Friend Story, you will definitely love this too!!

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Life is a box of chocolates, you never know what you'd get

Crossroad Bistro is a heartwarming and frustrating, funny and sad, very beautifully shot and somewhat disjointed drama. I get the feeling that this might be semi-autobiographical, like someone has penned down some personalities that he knows in real life, and some true life stories that he have witnessed or maybe even experienced. Some scenes do not really advanced the story or make any impact to the plot, but are in the drama, as if it is an ode to someone or in memory of a better time.... This is especially so with that song that keeps playing in the background. A song that is very wistful, recollecting on the past.

Crossroad Bistro isn't just one story, it is a collection of several stories. There would be a few times when you are watching this drama that you would fuss over the characters' decisions or events that happened, I would say, do not fuss over the details, instead look at the main point and moral of story that the drama is trying to tell you. From these, there is much to know and learn, as every event that happened, the storyteller is actually trying to convey an opinion on Life to us, the viewers. In some sense, this drama is like Chicken Soup for the Soul. Every event in the drama is like a mini story, each with a perspective on Life to share, a topic to let you discuss and think over. Such as are adventure seekers quite selfish? In the pursuit of adventure, the way they put their lives on the edge, is this being responsible to their families? Between personal happiness/success and being responsible to loved ones, which is more important?

I also like that it explored the love between man and woman in several different ways. We have the selfish jerk boyfriends, the devoted and loving boyfriend but the woman could not feel the spark (love) for, the love of a married couple, and a many years friendship that is quite confusing if it is an only friendship love or is there something more?

My only complaint on the drama is:- the friendships between the 5 women are a bit unrealistic? It is possible to develop very close friendship in a short time, but maybe not to the extent that is shown in drama.... To become so close, you should be seeing each other every day or every other day, but one of the FLs is quite separated from the other 4, and when they all came together to support her, that part was a tad unbelievable. Still I love the 5 women friendships, the bond that they shared.

Love the musical performances and that poetry recital (with drinks)! And the peeks into acting and entertainment circle, that was fun! Not essential to plot but gave it so much color and life. An ode to better times and friends!

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